GCSE

He is just immature and is more interested on how he fits in with his peers. My son ended up leaving school early for similar reasons as your son. Their peers have a lot to answer for. He went into an apprenticeship and has done well for himself, although he is week with his girlfriends in a similar way he was with his school friends and has had financial troubles because of this. He did regret not going to university and started an OU degree. He has his own business (contractor for companies he has worked for previously).

Just relax. You can't make him do anything. Just let him know you are there and respect his choices. The more you push the more he will rebel...I have been there...hahaha. My children came through it all and are all very happy x

You haven't gone wrong. He is trying to find his own feet and unfortunately he is doing it at this time in his education.

Just support him. He knows he should work and that you are concerned but back off. Explain that the choices he makes from now on are his and that you will always be there to pick up and dust off if things don't work out.

Don’t worry to much, my youngest sailed through his GCSE’s without much revision. He thought he could do the same with his A levels and failed all but one. We fought to get him back in school and he has since gone on to get a first in law. Things tend to straighten out. I never put pressure on him as that tends to push them away

Thank you everybody. I will bite my tongue and just try to support him .

seasider it is not your fault. But even if your son's exam results are a disaster, all is not lost. My closest friend did few O levels and failed all her A levels and went off and trained as a secretary. At 22, she realised how foolish she had been, went back to college and qualified as a solicitor and when it became possible for solicitors to become judges was appointed to be a judge. Her retirement pension alone is more than I ever earned. Another friend did something similar but later put the hours in and became a Chartered Accountant and was also very successful.

Sometimes youngsters have to find their way in life for sometime before they suddenly fix on something they want to do and then they work and concentrate and amaze everybody.

Don't worry sorry.
I crossed posts with BlueBelle but would echo what she says.

You have not gone wrong and children are all very different despite being brought up in the same family.In this day and age when so many youngsters are suffering from anxiety and stress and getting getting all het up about exams it is refreshing to hear about one who is not.I think you just have to accept him as he is without pushing or bargaining with him.One of my sons was like that at school but has since done very well because of his confidence and laid back approach.I think your son will find his own way.Don't worry about him.

Thanks Blubelle I know he will get there eventually but it's just so hard when you know he is shooting himself in the foot! I just want the best for him

Seasider you haven’t gone wrong I think this is much more common than you realise A lot of boys can’t face the classroom at 16 our dads were out working at 14 my grandad was fighting in a war at 16 (he changed his birth certificate and they were taking anyone WW1 without questions) his mum must have died a thousand deaths as he was sent straight to France and lucky to come out alive
My own son came away with very little at 16 signed on for a YTS and has zoomed through working life and earns more than my two girls put together
It’s frustrating but not the end of the world